After Uproar, Volkswagen Says It Will Stop Conducting Tests On Animals

Automaker Volkswagen says it'll stop using animals to test the effects of diesel exhaust. The practice became public in the fallout over the company's emissions cheating scandal, and advocacy groups sounded off.

The New York Times reported in January that the company funded a study that put 10 monkeys inside airtight chambers and funneled fumes from a diesel VW beetle and an old pickup truck into them. German media later reported a research firm founded by companies including Volkswagen conducted tests on humans, too, in which people were asked to inhale nitrogen dioxide, which can be very harmful. 

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says Volkswagen promised it won't conduct tests on animals unless it's required to by law.

Volkswagen still faces potentially costly fallout from its emissions cheating scandal. Shareholders have reportedly filed a lawsuit that could add billions to the company's costs.